GUWAHATI: Meitei opposition to Manipur being brought under President’s rule within days of chief minister Biren Singh’s resignation accentuated the ethnic divide in state Thursday, contrasting with what tribal groups said was “a ray of hope for Kuki-Zos”.
Ginza Vualzong of Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) said President’s rule was “more preferable than a change of CM”, an option BJP apparently couldn’t exercise for want of a consensus face to succeed Biren. “Kuki-Zo do not trust Meiteis anymore, so having a new Meitei CM would be far from comforting,” he said.
ITLF had been demanding separate administration for Kuki-Zos and Biren’s ouster for his allegedly biased handling of ethnic crisis that erupted on May 3, 2023. “With President’s rule, I believe the groundwork to end violence will begin, which should pave the way for a conducive environment for political dialogue,” Vualzong said.
Meitei groups said they expected their elected representatives to pick next CM, only for the move to be scuppered. “A competent person should have been entrusted with the responsibility of being chief minister after Biren Singh resigned. MLAs of Manipur should have been allowed to choose leader of the House,” consultative member and ex-COCOMI coordinator Somorendra Thockchom said.
“Instead of that happening, MLAs were called to Delhi, one by one. Centralisation of power created the problem and President’s rule was ultimately imposed.”
BJP state chief A Sharda Devi said assembly is sti-ll in suspended animation. “Biren Singh resigned in the interest of Manipur’s integrity. After observing the current situation for some time, there may be thoughts on running the House.”
Congress’ Jairam Ramesh wrote on X, “Finally, what Indian National Congress has been demanding for 20 months has happened… This has come after the state saw killing of over 300 people and displacement of over 60,000 men, women and children since May 3, 2023.”